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01/05/2014

McAuliffe has "no plans" to stump for Hillary bid in 2016

The McAuliffe transition team announed Saturday that the Governor-Elect Terry McAuliffe's close friends former President Bill Clinton and his wife former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will attend his inauguration as Virginia's 72nd governor.

Make no mistake, it is early, but this week during a lengthy interview McAuliffe made a startling declaration. He has no plans to be actively involved in the process of electing the next President of the United States. Even if one of the main candidates is Mrs. Clinton.

McAuliffe rose to prominence as a national political figure because of his tight connection with the Clinton family. He served as the chief fundraiser for President Clinton's two runs for the White House and was Clinton's handpicked Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

He also served as the Chair of Mrs. Clinton's failed run for president in 2008.

But for the first time, McAuliffe is standing on his own as an elected leader and despite Virginia's important role as a swing state, he does not anticipate an active role in the national political scene.

"At this stage no," McAuliffe answered when I asked him about what role he might play. "I've done that. It's been a great part of my life, but to be honest with you, I'm past the politics, I'm now into governing."

Governing aside, the last two Chief Executives in Virginia have played a crucial role in the presidential campaign process.

Tim Kaine (D) was the first sitting governor outside of Illinois to endorse then Senator Barack Obama (D) for president, he later went on to be his national campaign co-chair and then Obama's Chair of the DNC. Kaine was also in the final round of Obama's choices for Vice President.

Kaine told me that he was Obama's "heart" pick for VP, while Joe Biden was his "head" pick. Obama of course chose Biden.

Bob McDonnell (R) was a chief surrogate for Mitt Romney (R) in 2012 traveling the country for him and was considered a strong contender for his running mate as well. McDonnell was rumored to be Romney's choice for Attorney General if he had been elected.

Going back even further, Gov. Doug Wilder (D) actually considered running for president while in office. He ultimately stepped aside in the presidential primary won by Clinton in 1992.

It is to a certain degree expected that Virginia's governor play an active role in helping to pick the president, but according to McAuliffe that is not his priority.

He admits, serving in his first elected office that he has a lot to learn.

"That's going to take all of my energy," he said. "I do have a lot of energy, I like to go around the clock if I can, 7 days a week, but you do need sleep."

A lot can happen in the three years before the presidential campaign begins in earnest, and while most expect Mrs. Clinton to jump into the race she has not done so yet. But as he gets ready to take the oath of office, McAuliffe is warning that any bid- even one by a Clinton- may be done without his help.

"I don't plan on it. I have so much responsibilities and duties sitting right here," McAuliffe said. "I'll be traveling, but it will be on behalf of the commonwealth to create new economic opportunities."

McAuliffe's full remarks on a future presidential contest can be found below: